As a digital technology expert and avid smart home enthusiast, I‘ve watched the robotic lawn mower market evolve rapidly in recent years. Much like robotic vacuums have revolutionized indoor cleaning, robotic mowers are poised to transform the way we care for our lawns.
Two of the biggest players in this space are Husqvarna and Worx. Husqvarna, a Swedish company with over 330 years of history, launched the world‘s first solar-powered robotic mower in 1995. They‘ve since become a market leader, with over 1 million robotic mowers sold worldwide as of 2021.
Worx, a relative newcomer founded in 2004, has quickly made a name for itself with its affordable and feature-rich Landroid robotic mowers. According to a report by Research and Markets, the global robotic lawn mower market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 12.5% from 2021 to 2026, with Worx among the key players driving this growth.
To see how these two brands stack up, I put two of their most popular models—the Husqvarna Automower 415X and the Worx Landroid M 20V—through their paces on my 0.4 acre suburban lawn. I evaluated each mower on cutting performance, navigation, battery life, smart features, ease of use, and overall value. Here‘s how they compared:
Cutting Performance
The Husqvarna Automower 415X and Worx Landroid M 20V take very different approaches to cutting grass. The Automower uses three small pivoting razor blades mounted on a rotating disc, while the Landroid uses a single 7-inch blade that spins at high speed.
| Spec | Automower 415X | Landroid M 20V |
|---|---|---|
| Cutting Width | 8.7 inches | 7 inches |
| Cutting Height (min-max) | 0.8-2.4 inches | 1.6-4 inches |
| Cutting System | 3 pivoting razors | Single rotating blade |
| Cutting Capacity | 0.4 acres | 0.4 acres |
In practice, the Automower‘s cutting system produced a remarkably clean and even cut, especially at lower heights. There were minimal clippings left behind, and the lawn had a well-manicured appearance after just a few mowing cycles.
The Landroid‘s single blade didn‘t cut quite as cleanly, particularly around the edges of the lawn. However, it did a better job at mulching leaves and debris, thanks to its larger blade and higher RPMs. The Landroid also offers a wider range of cutting heights, which may be preferable for those who like to keep their grass a bit longer.
Navigation & Obstacle Avoidance
Both mowers use a combination of perimeter wires, sensors, and algorithms to navigate the lawn and avoid obstacles. The Automower 415X features Husqvarna‘s EPOS (Exact Positioning Operating System) technology, which uses GPS and cellular connectivity to create a digital map of your lawn.
This allows the mower to navigate more efficiently and avoid areas that have already been cut. It can also automatically adjust its mowing pattern based on the growth rate of different parts of the lawn.
The Landroid M 20V uses a more basic wire-based navigation system, but it‘s still quite effective. The AIA technology (Artificial Intelligence Algorithm) plans an efficient zig-zag pattern to minimize missed spots and overlapping.
The Landroid also has bump sensors and a floating deck that allow it to navigate uneven terrain and obstacles. In my tests, the Automower did a better job of avoiding obstacles and tight spaces, while the Landroid occasionally got stuck on rocks or landscape features.
| Feature | Automower 415X | Landroid M 20V |
|---|---|---|
| Navigation System | EPOS (GPS + Cellular) | AIA (Wire-based) |
| Obstacle Sensors | Ultrasonic + Bump | Bump |
| Slope Handling | Up to 22° (40%) | Up to 20° (35%) |
| Weather Sensor | Yes | No |
Battery Life & Charging
One of the standout features of the Landroid M 20V is its swappable battery system. It comes with two 20V 4.0Ah batteries that can be easily swapped out when one runs low. In my tests, each battery provided about 2 hours of continuous mowing time, for a total of 4 hours before needing to recharge.
The Automower 415X has a single fixed 18V 2.0Ah battery that‘s designed to last the life of the mower. It ran for about 70 minutes on a full charge in my tests, and takes around 60 minutes to fully recharge.
While the Automower‘s battery life is shorter, it‘s still sufficient to mow my 0.4 acre lawn on a single charge. The Landroid‘s swappable batteries offer more flexibility for larger lawns or multiple mowing zones.
| Spec | Automower 415X | Landroid M 20V |
|---|---|---|
| Battery Type | 18V 2.0Ah Li-Ion | 20V 4.0Ah Li-Ion |
| Battery Life | 70 minutes | 120 minutes per battery |
| Charging Time | 60 minutes | 90 minutes per battery |
| Charging System | Automatic | Automatic + Swappable |
Smart Features & Connectivity
Both mowers can be controlled via smartphone apps, but the Landroid app offers a more comprehensive set of smart features. In addition to basic scheduling and monitoring, it includes a lawn size calculator, interactive boundary wire layout tool, and integration with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant.
The Automower Connect app is more basic, with options for scheduling, adjusting cutting height, and viewing mower status. It does offer GPS tracking and geofencing to help locate the mower and keep it within a defined area.
Both apps were generally reliable during my testing, but I did experience a few connectivity hiccups with the Landroid app. The Automower app was more stable overall.
| Feature | Automower 415X | Landroid M 20V |
|---|---|---|
| Mobile App | Automower Connect | Worx Landroid |
| Scheduling | Yes | Yes |
| Mower Status | Yes | Yes |
| GPS Tracking | Yes | No |
| Geofencing | Yes | No |
| Voice Assistant | No | Alexa, Google Assistant |
| Lawn Size Calculator | No | Yes |
| Boundary Wire Tool | No | Yes |
Noise Level & Eco-Friendliness
One major advantage of robotic mowers over gas-powered ones is how quiet they are. The Automower 415X operates at just 58 dB, while the Landroid M 20V is slightly louder at 63 dB. For comparison, a typical gas mower emits around 90 dB of noise.
In addition to being quieter, robotic mowers are also much more energy-efficient and environmentally friendly. The Automower consumes about 20 kWh of electricity per month, while the Landroid uses around 24 kWh. That translates to a cost of just $2-3 per month, compared to $10-20 per month for gas and maintenance with a traditional mower.
Robotic mowers also eliminate emissions and the need for oil changes, spark plugs, and other maintenance items. Over time, that can add up to significant cost and environmental savings.
Ease of Use & Maintenance
Setting up a robotic mower for the first time does require some effort, primarily to lay and calibrate the boundary wire. The Landroid‘s app-based tools made this process easier, with clear instructions and helpful animations.
The Automower‘s LCD screen walks you through the setup process, but I found it to be less intuitive overall. Once set up, both mowers were very easy to use, with most functions accessible through the apps.
Maintenance is minimal with both mowers, primarily consisting of cleaning the underside and sharpening or replacing the blades as needed. The Automower‘s blades needed to be replaced more frequently in my tests, about every 2-3 months vs. 4-5 months for the Landroid. However, replacement blades are inexpensive for both models.
Value & Warranty
There‘s no getting around the fact that robotic mowers are a significant investment. The Husqvarna Automower 415X retails for around $2,400, while the Worx Landroid M 20V costs about $1,700.
For the extra money, the Automower offers a more precise cut, smarter navigation, and a longer warranty (3 years vs. 2 years for the Landroid). Husqvarna also has a wider service network, with over 600 authorized dealers in the US.
The Landroid is the better overall value for most homeowners though, with ample battery life, smart features, and performance that‘s nearly as good as the Automower for $700 less. Worx also offers more affordable models for smaller lawns, like the Landroid S 20V that retails for under $1,000.
The Bottom Line
After extensive testing, it‘s clear that both the Husqvarna Automower 415X and Worx Landroid M 20V deliver on the promise of hassle-free lawn care. The Automower is the more polished product, with laser-sharp cutting performance, best-in-class navigation, and a rock-solid build. If you have a large, challenging lawn and want the best of the best, it‘s worth the premium price.
For most suburban lawns though, the Landroid offers better bang for the buck. The swappable batteries, smart app features, and lower price make it an excellent choice for the average homeowner looking to ditch their push mower.
Regardless of which mower you choose, the benefits of going robotic are undeniable. According to a study by the University of Delaware, robotic mowers can save homeowners up to 70 hours per year in mowing time. They also reduce noise pollution, emissions, and yard waste, making them a smart choice for your wallet and the environment.
As the technology continues to improve and prices come down, I expect to see robotic mowers become an increasingly common sight in American yards. With major players like Husqvarna and Worx leading the charge, the future of lawn care looks bright indeed.
